Chelsea begin title challenge

Chelsea this evening make a strip to the Goodison Park to face Everton in what is a beginner of the English Premier title challenge.

The host come into the game on the back of two friendly victories, 4-2 win at Blackpool followed by a 3-0 win over Dinamo Kiev.

However, there were also defeats in Everton’s pre-season campaign against Premier League opposition and Everton went down 2-0 against Arsenal and 4-0 to Manchester United.

Last season, Everton picked up the points they needed to avoid relegation amidst the inconsistency. The Toffees have recorded only 4 wins from their 11 most recent games in the Premier League.

Three of those 4 victories came at home and Everton beat Manchester United, Chelsea, and Crystal Palace at Goodison Park, with those 9 points proving crucial in the battle against the drop.

The Blues travel to the Park having finished their pre-season with a 3-1 win over Udinese. Prior to that win, Chelsea lost 4-0 to Arsenal in the final of the Florida Cup and Thomas Tuchel will be hoping he does not see a repeat of that performance throughout the Premier League season.

Chelsea finished last season with 4 unbeaten matches in the Premier League. There were wins over Leeds United away from the Bridge and to Watford at home plus draws at home against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City.

The Blues were difficult to beat away from home in the Premier League last season and lost only 2 of their last 11 away Premier League fixtures.

Chelsea begin title challenge

Team news and Everton are without the injured trio of Asmir Begovic, Seamus Coleman, and Andros Townsend. There are doubts over the fitness of Dominic Calvert-Lewin but James Tarkowski and Dwight McNeil could make their debut for the club.

Chelsea have doubts over the fitness of Timo Werner and Ross Barkley. Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly could make their debut in this game.